This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - 12:30pm Sunday Service | Live from Rossview” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
The Holy Spirit: God in You
Week 1 of the Holy Spirit Series
A Note to Facilitators: Welcome! This guide is designed to help your group engage meaningfully with Sunday's message on the Holy Spirit — regardless of your theological background or experience leading groups. You don't need to be an expert. Your job is simply to create a safe, open space for honest conversation. Read through the guide before your meeting, choose the questions that fit your group best, and trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest. You've got this.
SERMON OVERVIEW
This week, Pastor Mike launched a new series on the Holy Spirit by teaching that the Holy Spirit is not a force or feeling — He is fully God, the third person of the Trinity. The sermon explored how God's plan has always been to dwell inside His people, how Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Empowerer, and what it looks like practically to invite the Holy Spirit to fill, lead, and use us every day. The central challenge: stop trying to live the Christian life in your own strength and start walking in the power of the Spirit.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Suggested Total Time: 75–90 minutes What You'll Need: Printed guides or digital access, Bibles or Bible app, a comfortable space, and an open heart.
Feel free to adjust the time for each section based on your group's pace and energy. The questions are numbered so you can easily skip or substitute as needed.
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Start here to warm up the group and ease into conversation. There are no wrong answers — this is just about getting people talking.
Choose one of the following:
Option A (lighter, fun):
"If you could have a personal helper or assistant for one week — someone who handled everything you're worst at — what would you want them to do for you, and why?"
Option B (more reflective):
"Think back to a moment when you felt completely out of your own strength — when you knew you couldn't handle something on your own. What was that like?"
[Leader Tip]: Don't rush this section. A good icebreaker loosens people up and builds trust for the deeper questions ahead. If your group is quiet, share your own answer first to model vulnerability.
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5–10 minutes)
Before diving into discussion, read these key passages aloud together. You might ask for two or three volunteers to each read one passage.
Passage 1 — The Promise of the Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26–27)
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
Passage 2 — Jesus Promises the Helper (John 16:7)
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
Passage 3 — The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4)
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Passage 4 — Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22–23)
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Passage 5 — Filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."
[Context Note for Leaders]: The sermon connected a thread from the Old Testament all the way through to the New Testament — showing that God's desire to dwell inside His people wasn't a surprise plan. It was always the goal. Ezekiel's prophecy was written roughly 600 years before Jesus, and it pointed directly to what happened at Pentecost in Acts 2. Helping your group see this big-picture story can make the Holy Spirit feel less like a theological concept and more like a personal invitation.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
Work through as many of these questions as time allows. They're organized to move from easier, observational questions toward deeper personal application. You don't need to cover every question — choose what fits your group.
THEME A: Who Is the Holy Spirit?
(Observational — getting grounded in the basics)
Question 1:
Pastor Mike said, "The Holy Spirit is God — fully as much as Jesus and as much as God the Father." Before Sunday's message, how would you have described the Holy Spirit? Has your understanding shifted at all, and if so, how?
[Leader Tip]: This is a great opening question because it meets people where they are. Some may have grown up with a rich understanding of the Holy Spirit; others may have rarely thought about Him at all. Both are welcome here. Normalize the range of starting points — there's no shame in saying "I never really thought about this."
Question 2:
The sermon described one God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — each with distinct roles: "God loves you. Jesus saves you. The Spirit fills you." In your own words, how would you explain these different roles to a friend who was curious about Christianity?
Question 3:
Pastor Mike pointed out that in Genesis 1, the Spirit of God was already "hovering over creation" — and that this same Spirit now wants to live inside of us. What does it mean to you personally that the God who created the universe wants to dwell in you?
THEME B: Why Did Jesus Leave — and What Did He Send?
(Interpretive — digging into the sermon's key idea)
Question 4:
Jesus told His disciples, "It is to your advantage that I go away" (John 16:7). That's a pretty shocking statement. Why do you think the disciples might have struggled to believe that? And honestly — do you find it hard to believe that the Holy Spirit is a better gift than having Jesus physically present?
[Leader Tip]: This question often surfaces honest doubt, which is healthy. If someone says, "I'd rather just have Jesus here," affirm that response — it's understandable! Then gently explore what Jesus Himself said: that the Spirit's presence inside every believer is actually greater than His physical presence with a small group of disciples. This can open up a rich conversation.
Question 5:
The sermon traced a thread from the Passover lamb in Exodus → to the promise in Ezekiel → to Pentecost in Acts 2. What does this connected story tell us about how long God has been planning to give His Spirit to His people? Why does it matter that this wasn't a last-minute idea?
THEME C: The Difference the Spirit Makes
(Personal and reflective)
Question 6:
Pastor Mike said: "Without the Holy Spirit, discipleship is an exercise in willpower. With the Holy Spirit, discipleship becomes an experience in God's power." Have you ever felt the exhaustion of trying to live the Christian life in your own strength? What did that look like for you?
[Leader Tip]: This question tends to generate very honest, personal responses. Create space for people to be real here — burnout, moral failure, spiritual dryness, and frustration are all common experiences. Remind the group that vulnerability is welcome and that the whole point of this message is that we were never meant to do this alone.
Question 7:
The sermon listed three things the Holy Spirit empowers us to do: live righteously, live supernaturally, and live on mission. Which of these three feels most real or active in your life right now? Which one feels most out of reach — and why?
Question 8:
Galatians 5 lists the "fruit of the Spirit" — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Which of these fruits do you feel growing in your life? Which one do you most need the Spirit to cultivate in you right now?
THEME D: Invitation and Response
(Application — moving toward action)
Question 9:
Pastor Mike closed the message with three prayers: "Holy Spirit, show me. Holy Spirit, fill me. Holy Spirit, use me." Which of these three prayers feels most challenging or vulnerable for you to pray right now — and what makes it feel that way?
[Leader Tip]: Some people may feel uncertain or even nervous about praying directly to the Holy Spirit. That's okay. Acknowledge that this kind of prayer may feel unfamiliar to some. Remind the group that the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force — and that Jesus Himself told us to welcome Him.
Question 10:
The sermon described the Holy Spirit as a Helper, Empowerer, Convictor, and Friend — not a possessor. God never forces Himself on anyone; He responds to invitation. What does it look like practically to invite the Holy Spirit into your daily life — not just on Sundays, but on a Tuesday afternoon or a stressful workday?
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
These questions are for quieter, more personal reflection. You may want to give people 2–3 minutes to think or journal quietly before sharing. Remind the group that they're only invited to share what they're comfortable with.
Reflection Question 1:
The sermon opened with testimonies from people whose lives were changed when they surrendered to Jesus — including someone who was homeless and pregnant, and someone who used to be agnostic. What's your own "before and after" story with God? If you're still in the "before," what's one step you could take this week?
Reflection Question 2:
Corrie ten Boom (a Holocaust survivor and Christian) was quoted in the sermon: "Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the ministry of Jesus just flows out of us." Where in your life right now are you running on your own strength instead of the Spirit's power? Be specific.
Reflection Question 3:
Pastor Mike shared a personal story about a missions training in 1998 when he had an encounter with the Holy Spirit that changed his life — his passion for God deepened, his calling became clear, and his relationship with Scripture changed. Have you had a moment like that? If not, what might be holding you back from asking God for one?
Reflection Question 4:
The sermon ended with a challenge to pray three things every day: "Show me. Fill me. Use me." What would it look like for you to make this a daily practice this week — even in a simple, 2-minute prayer each morning?
SECTION 5: THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
(Read aloud together or distribute as a take-home)
Choose one of the following challenges to practice this week:
🔥 Option 1 — The Daily Prayer Every morning this week, before you check your phone, pray these three sentences: "Holy Spirit, show me what needs to change in me today. Fill me with your power and presence. Use me for your purposes." Notice what shifts in your day.
📖 Option 2 — Scripture Reflection Read Acts 2:1–47 this week — the full story of Pentecost. As you read, ask: What did the Holy Spirit do in these early believers? What do I want Him to do in me? Journal what stands out.
👥 Option 3 — Share Your Story Think of one person in your life who doesn't yet know Jesus. This week, pray specifically for an opportunity to share what God has done in your life — and ask the Holy Spirit to open a door. Report back to your group next week.
🌱 Option 4 — Fruit Inventory Pick one fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control) that you most need right now. Write it somewhere visible — your mirror, your phone lock screen, your desk. Ask the Holy Spirit to grow that fruit in you this week through one specific situation you're facing.
SECTION 6: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. Here are several suggested approaches — choose what fits your group's culture:
Option A — Guided Group Prayer Have someone lead the group through these three prayer themes, pausing after each for silent or spoken prayer:
- Gratitude — Thank God for sending the Holy Spirit as a gift to us. Thank Jesus for making it possible.
- Openness — Ask the Holy Spirit to show each person in the room what needs to change, be surrendered, or be released.
- Filling — Invite the Holy Spirit to fill each person freshly — to empower, equip, and use them in the week ahead.
Option B — Conversational Prayer Go around the circle and invite each person to pray one sentence — either a prayer of thanks, a request, or simply "Holy Spirit, fill me." No one is required to pray aloud.
Option C — Written Prayer Give everyone 2 minutes to write a short prayer to the Holy Spirit — using the three themes from the sermon: Show me. Fill me. Use me. Close by reading them aloud together or simply sitting in silence.
Suggested Closing Prayer (read together or by the leader):
"Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We confess that we often try to live in our own strength, and we're tired. Today, we open our hands and our hearts. Holy Spirit, show us what needs to change. Fill us with Your presence and power. Use us for Your purposes in our families, our workplaces, and our city. We welcome You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
SECTION 7: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
(For groups with extra time or who want to go further)
These bonus questions are for groups that want to dig deeper into the theology or explore a topic more fully. They work well as a follow-up for the following week, or as personal study between meetings.
Deep Dive Question 1 — The Trinity
The sermon explained that the Trinity isn't three gods, but one God in three persons. Read Matthew 3:16–17 (the baptism of Jesus), where all three persons of the Trinity appear simultaneously. What does this moment reveal about how the Father, Son, and Spirit relate to each other? How does understanding the Trinity change how you pray?
Matthew 3:16–17: "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"
Deep Dive Question 2 — Spirit-Filled Living
Read Romans 8:1–17. The passage contrasts living "according to the flesh" with living "according to the Spirit." What specific differences does Paul describe? What does it mean practically that "the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you" (v. 11)? How should that truth change how you face tomorrow?
Key verse — Romans 8:11: "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."
Deep Dive Question 3 — Old Testament Fulfillment
The sermon connected Ezekiel 36's promise of a "new heart" and "new spirit" to the outpouring of Acts 2. Read also Joel 2:28–29, which Peter quotes in his Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:17–18). What does it mean that God promised this gift hundreds of years before it happened? How does knowing this prophecy was fulfilled give you confidence that God's promises for your life will also be fulfilled?
Joel 2:28–29: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For Further Study This Week:
- Acts 2:1–47 — The full Pentecost account
- Romans 8:1–27 — Life in the Spirit
- John 14–16 — Jesus' full teaching on the Holy Spirit (the "Upper Room Discourse")
- Galatians 5:13–26 — Flesh vs. Spirit; the fruit of the Spirit
Coming Up in This Series: Pastor Mike has mentioned upcoming messages on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Encourage your group to stay engaged with the series — these topics will build on what was covered this week.
QUICK REFERENCE: GUIDE AT A GLANCE
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| Icebreaker | 5–10 min |
| Scripture Reading | 5–10 min |
| Discussion Questions | 30–45 min |
| Personal Application | 10–15 min |
| This Week's Challenge | 3–5 min |
| Prayer Focus | 5–10 min |
| Total | 60–90 min |
A Final Word for Facilitators: If your group gets stuck on a question, it's okay to move on. If someone shares something vulnerable, honor it with a simple "Thank you for sharing that." If the conversation goes somewhere unexpected but meaningful, follow it. The goal isn't to get through every question — it's to help people encounter God and each other more deeply. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead your group. That's literally what He's here for.
This guide was prepared for Life Point Church Small Groups based on the message "The Holy Spirit: God in You" — Week 1 of the Holy Spirit Series.